(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump international trade senior counsel Valerie Slater has been honored as one of five recipients of the inaugural Customs and International Trade Bar Association’s (CITBA) Barbara S. Williams Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is named for a former CITBA board member who also served as attorney in charge of the International Trade Field Office of the U.S. Department of Justice.

It recognizes, among other achievements, substantial and long-term contributions to the practice of international trade and/or customs law, service to the development of the international trade and/or customs legal profession, and advanced ethical practice and professional responsibility in the field of international trade and/or customs law.

Ms. Slater previously served as Akin Gump’s international trade practice head as well as on the firm’s management and diversity committees. She has been recognized and ranked by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and Best Lawyers, among others.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.